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Potato

The potato is a plant whose tuber is eaten as a vegetable. The potato is also used to make medicine. The juice of raw potatoes is used to treat stomach complaints and water retention. A purified protein powder made from potatoes is mixed with water and used to control appetite during a diet. Some people apply raw potatoes directly to affected areas for arthritis, infections, boils, burns and inflamed eyes. In the field of nutrition, the potato is consumed as a food, used as a source of starch and fermented into alcohol.

How do potato products work?

Potatoes could limit appetite and thus help with weight loss. A chemical contained in potato peelings could also prevent bacteria from attacking cells. Potatoes are a source of vitamin A, iron, riboflavin and carbohydrates.

How effective are potato products?

There is not enough scientific data to conclude on the effectiveness of potato products taken orally for stomach problems and obesity, and of potato products applied to the skin for arthritis, infections, boils and burns. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of potato products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Flawless ripe potatoes consumed as food or used as medicine appear to be safe and harmless for most people. Damaged potatoes, green potatoes and potato sprouts contain toxic chemicals that are not destroyed during cooking. These toxic chemicals can cause headaches, flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, thirst, restlessness and death. There is not enough information on whether it is safe and harmless to apply raw potatoes to the skin for medicinal purposes.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Flawless, ripe potatoes are safe and safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in normal food quantities. The use of potato products for medicinal purposes should be avoided until more is known about how they may affect the unborn or nursing child.

Diabetes: Potatoes can affect blood sugar control. If you suffer from diabetes, you should control your potato intake in the same way as you control your intake of all other carbohydrates.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining potato products with the following medications:

Medications used to dissolve blood clots (thrombolytic drugs) Potatoes contain chemicals that can reduce blood clotting. Consuming large amounts of potatoes in combination with drugs used to dissolve blood clots could increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of potato products depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for different potato products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Agrawal A. Potato peel extract holds potential as antiboitic. Reuters Health May 23, 2000. www.medscape.com (Accessed May 23, 2000).
  2. Hill AJ, Peikin SR, Ryan CA, Blundell JE. Oral administration of proteinase inhibitor II from potatoes reduces energy intake in man. Physiol Behav 1990;48:241-6.
  3. Klement P, Liao P, Bajzar L. A novel approach to arterial thrombolysis. Blood 1999;94:2735-43.
  4. Kopin AS, Mathes WF, McBride EW, et al. The cholecystokinin-A receptor mediates inhibition of food intake yet is not essential for the maintenance of body weight. J Clin Invest 1999;103:383-91.
  5. Lam WF, Gielkens HA, de Boer SY, et al. Influence of hyperglycemia on the satiating effect of CCK in humans. Physiol Behav 1998;65:505-11.
  6. Redlitz A, Nicolini FA, Malycky JL, et al. Inducible carboxypeptidase activity. A role in clot lysis in vivo. Circulation 1996;93:1328-30.
  7. Satietrol press releases. PacificHealth Labs, Inc, Woodbridge, NJ. www.satietrol.com/press.htm and www.satietrol.com/press1.htm (Accessed January 10, 2000).